Duckworth Goes to Washington

"I promised my neighbors that I was going to Washington to work for them and not for myself," Duckworth said in a statement. "If Congress is going to try to balance the budget on the backs of working Americans it is only fair that I bear that burden with them."

That translates into an 8.4 percent pay cut for the freshman Democrat "until a balanced solution is reached," she says, noting salaries for members of Congress are currently exempt from the pending cuts.

Tammy Duckworth's Acceptance Speech

Tammy Duckworth addressed her supporters at her campaign rally after winning her race in the 8th Congressional District against Republican incumbent Joe Walsh. (Published Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012)

In another area of the state, the Federal Aviation Administration says the cuts will force it to furlough thousands of air traffic controllers.

Duckworth said Congress has failed to make common sense compromises to avoid such cuts.

"Public schools in my district will be forced to cut hundreds of thousands of dollars from their budgets," Duckworth said, "and Illinois is expected to lose more than 50,000 jobs as a result of sequestration. Meanwhile, Congress remains paralyzed by partisanship."